- Justice Minister resigns after accepting Bitcoin donation from convicted drug trafficker.
- Czech authorities probe $45M Bitcoin sale linked to darknet prison.
- Blažek insists the donation adopted the legislation, aimed toward bettering public companies.
The Czech Republic’s Justice Minister, Pavel Blažek, has formally stepped down following a serious scandal involving the sale of almost $45 million price of Bitcoin. Bitcoins got to the Ministry of Justice by Tomáš Jiřikovský, who was convicted of drug trafficking and working on the darknet. The story shocked many and sparked issues about transparency and who’s legally accountable.
Czech Bitcoin Sale Triggers Legal Investigation
The controversy started on Could 28, when the Ministry of Justice introduced on X (previously Twitter) that it had offered roughly 500 Bitcoins and raised a complete of 1 billion koruna. The ministry defined that the cash can be allotted to updating the justice system, combating drug points in prisons, and bettering the housing circumstances for jail employees.
However issues acquired worse very quick. As reported by Deník N, Bitcoin was initially owned by Tomáš Jiřikovský, who arrange Sheep Market, a darknet platform for buying and selling unlawful merchandise. Jiřikovský was arrested and sentenced to 4 years in jail for dealing medicine and stealing cash. When the police arrested him, they discovered over 1,500 Bitcoins in a pockets saved on his laptop.
Jiřikovský was launched in 2021, however extra not too long ago, he provided up a portion of his possessions to the justice ministry. However the authorities within the Czech Republic have now begun investigating this donation. The Nationwide Centre for Combating Organized Crime is checking the suspicious transaction for indicators of cash laundering. They’ve already paid a go to to the ministry and gathered the mandatory paperwork.
Blažek Defends Bitcoin Deal Earlier than Stepping Down
Nonetheless, Blažek defended why the ministry was performing the best way it was. He stated that every one the principles and laws had been adopted for that donation. In keeping with Blažek, the cash was meant to help public companies. Furthermore, he believed Jiřikovský donated it as a option to apologize for his previous actions.
Moreover, experiences recommend that one-third of Jiřikovský’s belongings have been to be handed over to the ministry as a part of a settlement settlement. Blažek defined they settled the deal by consulting with Jiřikovský’s lawyer. In March 2025, the official switch occurred, and the cash was used for public service tasks.
Nonetheless, the general public and media reacted strongly. Many individuals consider Blažek acted unethically through the Bitcoin case. Moreover, some suspect he tried to cover attainable proof of against the law. Nevertheless, Blažek insisted he adopted all guidelines and did nothing fallacious. Nonetheless, he selected to resign to keep away from hurting Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s authorities earlier than the October elections.
In keeping with Prime Minister Fiala, he believes Marek Blažek was trustworthy in what he did, and he revered that he selected to resign. For the time being, the Public Prosecutor’s Workplace in Olomouc is inspecting whether or not the minister acted outdoors his powers by receiving the donation.
Total, the preliminary thought of supporting justice reforms has expanded right into a nationwide debate. This demonstrates how dealing with cryptocurrency might be tough, primarily when it entails anybody concerned in crime. The conclusions of the probes could change the best way Czech establishments reply to digital currencies in a while.